Maharashtra ATS Books Six Over Alleged Radicalisation of Children in Camps
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Mumbai has booked six individuals and several unidentified persons for allegedly running a structured radicalisation programme targeting children aged 10 to 15 across the state. The case follows intelligence-led searches in Ahilyanagar and Yavatmal districts, where digital evidence revealed attempts by a fundamentalist organisation to establish a dedicated child wing through camps in Pusad city and near Pardi.
According to the ATS, the investigation stems from searches conducted earlier this year into suspected online radicalisation and extremist activity. During the operations, teams recorded statements and seized laptops, mobile phones, hard disks, memory cards, financial records, literature, and organizational documents. Forensic examination of the seized electronic devices formed the basis of the first information report.
Scrutiny of recovered material highlighted a "Summer Islamic Camp" organised in Pusad city in Yavatmal district. While presented to parents as a religious educational programme, investigators alleged that select groups of 40 young participants were isolated and exposed to hardline and anti-national ideological material. Officials claimed that additional camps held near Pardi served as screening and recruitment platforms to systematically radicalise vulnerable youths.
The complaint alleged that the camps were attended by organisation sympathisers, including individuals linked to banned organisations and persons previously booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Although the group publicly portrayed itself as a socio-religious and educational youth platform, the agency alleged that its activities functioned as a facade for a deep-seated recruitment pipeline across Maharashtra.
According to the FIR, recovered video footage showed children participating in polarising role-play exercises centred on communal and geopolitical themes. In one exercise on the Israel-Palestine conflict, children enacted warfare scenes depicting Israel committing atrocities. In another performance, children were divided into groups portraying Hindus and Muslims, enacting scenes involving the placement of idols inside a mosque, references to the Babri Masjid demolition, hidden weapons, slogans of "Jai Shri Ram," and a choreographed clash with wooden sticks covered in silver-coloured material.
The ATS is also examining physical training sessions conducted during some of the programmes. Investigators are currently mapping participant attendance, communication networks, travel records, and financial transactions linked to camps organised across various parts of the state.
